The 7th Annual TNA Westside Cycling Classic took place under the pleasant skies of Point Grey. The Wedgewood Cycling team once again organized a great event to serve as the BC Championships for Junior Men and Women as well as Elite Men and Women. Racing was under way early with the Junior, Master and Cat 3,4 men getting under way at 7:30am. Also for the first time the event hosted a PreFondo event for athletes preparing to ride on of the many Gran Fondo’s being held in British Columbia.

The early time slot witnessed some great racing with a good sized Cat 3,4 field providing much of the excitement. The Pre Fondo riders were treated to a great 10.5 km loop around the UBC Endowment lands and showed off some good pack riding skills. The Cat 3,4 men were led to the line by Richard Macheim (Local Ride Racing) in first followed by Dustin Brons (Escape Velocity – DEVO) and John Courtenay. Master Men had a small group get away on the final laps and in a viscous uphill sprint to the line Bob Webourn (Glotman Simpson Racing) beat Thomas Haas (TNA Shape Porperties) followed in by Chris Cameron (BC Masters Racing). The Junior mens BC Champ title was won by Henri DeBoever (Victoria Cycling Academy – Avia West) with Kyle Buckosky second and Jordan Duncan (Comox Valley) taking the Bronze medal.

Men's Field - photo: Greg Descantes

The main event with Elite Men and Women was next accompanied by the Junior women and Cat 4 women. Elite men raced for 126 km on the rolling terrain of Vancouver’s Point Grey. Both the Elite Men and Women were competing for a King or Queen of the Mountain prize on the courses only significant climb. Points were tallied over the course of the race and Justin Kerr (H&R Block) won the men’s title while Canada’s own World Cup Mountain Bike Champ Catharine Pendrel (Luna) took the Queen title. Both races were aggressive with multiple breaks and attacks, but for the men a lead group of 13 was established and with most teams represented it held all the way to the line. Two previous winners of this race sprinted to the line for the title with Tyler Trace (Trek Red Truck Racing) taking the win from Justin Kerr (H&r Block) followed closely by his teammate Garrett McLeod (H&R Block). The women finished with a field sprint after several breaks were brought back. Strongest on the day was Leah Guloien with Karlee Gendron (Trek Red Truck Racing) second and Claire Cameron (Mighty Riders) third.

Leah Guloien wins- photo: Greg Descantes

Once again a great day of racing was matched only by the level of enthusiasm from the volunteers, spectators and the kids that had fun playing in the “Bouncy Slide”. Thanks to Team Wedgewood and all their sponsors.